Mplssoxfan

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Mar 9, 2005 -> 06:25 PM) Yeah I realize what fans say to him all the time, making fun of his grandfather's death etc, but he has to learn to deal with that in other ways. Most elite players have to deal with that kind of stuff. Steve Kerr's dad was the President of the American University in Beirut and was killed by terrorists. Opposing fans in the Pac-10 would chant "PLO, PLO!" As far as I know, Steve Kerr never punched anyone in the nuts, much less the best player on any team. Chris Paul is a punk.

His .375 BA in the Series is one of the strongest claims to Jackson's innocence. However, he did accept the $5,000, and he did not immediately go to Comiskey with the possibility of the fix. I have also seen research that there were three balls hit to left field that turned into triples. Since we all acknowledge that Jackson was a tremendous defensive player, that strikes me as a little odd. I am not settled on Jackson's guilt. Althoough I am settled on Comiskey's benig an avaricious scumbag who didn't deal fairly with his players, I don't think that justifies fixing the Series. I mean, you can say that you don't like the government, but you'll still get procecuted if you don't pay your taxes.

My bad. Didn't see it.

From Pat Forde at espn.com:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/stor..._jay&id=2005383 I espscially like the part about how RPI doesn't really matter that much, despite everything we all read all the time.

BTW, I know the many stalwart Illini fans probably don't feel the same way, but what a great day of College Basketball!

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 03:11 PM) Let's take a look at this from another angle and compare ONLY Indiana and Minnesota, who most experts feel is in already. Minnesota is 20-9 and Indiana is 15-12. Both have the same Big 10 record and split their two games, both winning at home. Minnesota beat the following non-conference teams.... Lipscomb Furman - common opponent with IU Holy Cross - solid team that should be in the Big Dance Nebraska Central Michigan Chicago State St. Francis PA NC Greensboro Coppin State Loyola Marymount Combined record of 144-133 IU beat.... Indiana State Western Illinois Ball State Oral Roberts - compare to Holy Cross Furman Combined record 77-68 Their non-conference wins are pretty similar. The biggest two differences between the two are: 1. Minnesota played two extra games (and against easy competition) 2. Minnesota played and lost to Alabama and Oklahoma who are both very good teams. They lost to Florida State who is 11-18. Indiana played two less games than Minnesota. They lost to UNC, UConn, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Charlotte and Missouri. I can't for the life of me compare those two schedules and figure how Minnesota has a "better resume" other than the fact they have more wins by playing lesser competition and two extra games. I can't see a team being rewarded for beating Chicago St, Lipscomb and Coppin St over a team that played Charlotte, Kentucky, Notre Dame, UConn and UNC. Is beating Coppin State better than losing by six at UCONN? I certainly don't think so. In fact, I would consider both teams to be about as even as they can be, considering they had different types of schedules. From a Minnesota fan: Rex is on the money. I still think IU has to beat Minnesota to be in, but the two teams are essentially even. I feel that IU is probably playing a little better than Minnesota right now, but it's close. The Hoosiers are more talented, but both teams have improved since December. IU picked the wrong year to load up their schedule on tough opponents more than they usually do, and Minnesota picked the right year to schedule a couple more cupcakes than they usually do. I'm just hoping that the Rodents don't throw up all over themselves next Friday.

I refuse to believe that a 20-win team with 10 wins in the Big Ten will get left out of the Tourney. I refer to, of course, Minnesota. IU is probably playing better than the Gophers right now, but even if IU wins in Chicago next Friday, Minnesota will be playing in the Dance. Yes, they played an absurdly easy non-confrence schedule. Yes, they have two bad home losses (Northwestern and Florida State). Yes, they only played Wisconsin and Illinois once. These things I know. But they beat IU and Wisconsin(both at home, I will grant you) and hung tough against 'Bama in Alaska. IU fans are justifably upset about the Charlotte game, and they're doubtlessly saying "If only a couple of shots went our way... ." But that's true of most teams who are on the bubble. Minnesota is two opponents' misses from being 23-7 (11-5). Of course, they're two opponents' makes from being 18-11 (8-8). That's the way basketball is, why it's such a great game. That's why those of us who are fanatics can justify the expense in time, sweat and dollars.

QUOTE(SuperSteve @ Feb 26, 2005 -> 10:01 PM) Good for him...people underestimate him though. Anyone remember when he stripped the ball from a defender in the Natl Championship Game? He was a smart player, and just needs to get the right people around him. He will be on some NFL team come August. Here's a link to another perspective on Clarett. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft05/colu...tory?id=2001738

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 23, 2005 -> 06:39 PM) When I'm at an independent league game I am shocked by how quickly they play without cameras, commercials, etc. When I am at a game it just seems wrong when I can get up, go to the bathroom, grab a beer, two hotdogs, and miss 2 pitches. I agree 100%. There's no reason at all for a nine-inning baseball game to take longer than 2:30. None at all, except for the preening of the players and the blaring of the commercials. Oh, well, it's tough to stuff the genie back into the bottle.

Just a thought... Gardenhire has named Radke as the Opening Day starter, so the Sunday Night game could be Buehrle-Radke.

QUOTE(Butter Parque @ Feb 26, 2005 -> 08:31 PM) So basically what you are syaing is that Minnesota, Ohio State, Purdue, Northwestern, a healthy Michigan, Iowa, and Indiana could match up with Georgia Tech, Maryland, NC State, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Virginia,and Miami? Your absolutely crazy if you honestly believe that. The only team that has really struggled is a young Florida State team. Going to Clemson can give you problems and I guarantee they could beat most teams on that list. Virginia Tech has had a dissapointing season and are the disgrace of the conference as far as I am concerned, but how can you say that these teams would lose to Penn State, Minnesota, Michigan, and Purdue. First of all, how are you possibly comparing the teams in bold? One of those four is head and shoulders above the other three, and it should be obvious which one it is. Is Minnesota the most consistent team in either the Big Ten or the country? Certainly not. Can they match up with the teams in italics above? I submit that they can. Minnesota is a far, far better team than the one that lost to FSU by two in December. Which Terps team would show up? The one who swept Duke or the one who was swept by Clemson? Illinois is better than Duke. The ACC, on balance, is better than the Big Ten. But just as Littlejohn and University Hall are tough places to play, no matter the quality of the home squad, so are Mackey and Williams. PS -- just rereading before I post. VT the disgrace of the season in the ACC? I'd say Virgnia or Maryland.

QUOTE(daa84 @ Feb 24, 2005 -> 05:28 PM) sounds like the sox should line up with el duque garland and buerhle. buerhle always kills teh twins and he could end up facing santana in the rubber match which could determine the series. that should be a hell of a game It should be a hell of a game, but Buerhle does not always kill the Twins. I was in the Dome for a Sox game in May 2003 when Buerhle got completely dismantled by Minnesota. I was sitting right behind the Sox dugout, but I left to go to the Stadium Bar in about the 4th, because I just couldn't take it anymore. Then, in the bar, a 50+ lady wanted to take a swing at me, but that's a whole 'nother story.

Fact or Fiction The Cubs will win more games than the White Sox Fact: The Cubs' shaky bullpen is the main reason why. Fact or Fiction Jon Garland will win more games than Kerry Wood Fiction: Assuming they both stay healthy, Wood will have more starts and more wins. But his win% might be worse. Fact or Fiction Carlos Zambrano will win more games than Mark Buehrle Fiction: This assumes that Zambrano will have problems handling the pressure of being the Number One guy. Fact or Fiction Scott Podsednik will steal more bases than the whole Cubs team Fact: That is one old, slow bunch of guys they've assembled. Fact or Fiction The Cubs attendance will average 15,000 per game higher than the Sox Fiction: More like 12,000. Fact or Fiction Jermaine Dye will out homer Jeromy Burnitz Fact: Burnitz's power numbers are going to nosedive in a remarkable way with the move from Coors to Wrigley. Fact or Fiction Latroy Hawkins will have a lower ERA than Damaso Marte Fiction: I've seen plenty of LaTroy over the years and he's very sensitive -- I don't see this, unless the Cubs' fans lay off of him, which I also don't see. Fact or Fiction The White Sox will finish higher in the standings than the Cubs will Fact: Since I've already said that the Sox are going to win the division, don't I have to say this?

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 22, 2005 -> 02:28 AM) I would disagree with both of those rules changes, though the first base rule could help the Sox this year with Podsednik and Iguchi. As for the other one, I can't see making a batter stand in the box with a gnat in his eye. Well, if an insect flew into the batter's face, or a hot dog wrapper blew across the plate or if someone ran onto the field, the umpire would of course call time. It's just the interminable "pitcher looks in, gets the sign, sets, starts windup, batter asks for time, time is granted" crap that happens seemingly every AB. It's annoying, it's unfair to the pitcher and the fans and it doesn't matter in the game since it helps/hinders both teams equally. Baseball is the only game with unlimited timeouts. That makes zero sense. The thing is, if you implemented the timeout rule, and the rule about the batter's box that initially started the discussion, you would notice that the games were faster, but you wouldn't really notice why. Why do Nomar and Chuck Knoblauch (just to name two) have to step out after every pitch and mess with their gloves, jerseys, etc. Play baseball, for Pete's sake.

A tough offseason for the young Twinkies' slugger. Lavelle E. Neal (an avowed Southsider, BTW) in the Mpls Startribune:

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Feb 21, 2005 -> 10:02 PM) hey to me the longer the game the better so i dont care how many times a pitcher throws it to first Well, his point in this case was that you can't miss the plate more than four times to any batter without a penalty, so why should you be able to throw to first twelve times in an inning with impunity? Excessive throws to first are boring. They help the defense, but they are boring.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 21, 2005 -> 10:14 AM) As SoxFan101 intimated, maybe this rule will simply evolve due to the fact that the habit will become ingrained while the future big leaguers come up throu the minors. Actually, implementing this rule in the minors was a damn good idea for that very reason. I would love it if this happened. Actually, Bill James (I realize many people dislike him, but he's thought provoking), came up with many ideas like this to speed up games. Among them were: umpires would be instructed to not grant time-out requests from the batter once he is in the box, and a pitcher would only be allowed three throws to first in an inning. The list made sense to me, as does this rule change. Just play baseball, damnit!

QUOTE(Yossarian @ Feb 18, 2005 -> 04:58 PM) It didn't used to be this way. In the 50's and 60's Chicago was decidedly a Sox town. That started to change when Leo Durocher came to town. By 1969 and 70 the Sox future in Chicago was shaky. Dick Allen almost singlehandedly saved the franchise and both teams were for the most part lousy in the 70's. When the Sox won the division in 83 it was a really big deal all around. The Sox flopped in 84 but actually had higher attendance than the division winning Cubs. However that year was a turning point. Wrigley Field area gentrification was picking up steam and Harry Caray mania was too. For the last two decades it's evolved to the sad point we are now. Go outside of Chicago and the Sox virtually do not exist and when folks find out you're from Chicago they're shocked when you tell them you don't like the Cubs. They look at you like you just cooked the Easter Bunny. Sad, but true. And I'm sure you've dicussed this, but 96 out of 100 "Cubs fans" you see in different cities have never been to a Cubs game.

Fact or Fiction: A White Sox starting pitcher will win 20 games this season. Fiction: But Buehrle will have 18. Fact or Fiction: Willie Harris will be on the White Sox opening day roster. Fiction: The Sox need a utility man who can play short as well. Fact or Fiction: Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez will toss more than 140 innings this season. Fact: 163.1, in fact. Fact or Fiction: Shingo Takatsu will record more than 30 saves this season. Fact: With the improved bullpen depth, Shingo will have at least 36 saves. Fact or Fiction: Scott Podsednik will set a career high in both batting average and OBP this season. Fiction: He will be better than last year, but won't have career highs in both. Fact or Fiction: Frank Thomas will play in more than 120 games this season. Fiction: Sadly enough, Big Frank will only see the field for 105 games. Fact or Fiction: Carl Everett will get more than 350 at-bats this season. Fact: See above. Plus, he'll see some time in left when Pods is out. Fact or Fiction: A White Sox starter other than Mark Buehrle or Freddy Garcia will throw a complete game shutout this season. Fact: Contreras 2-1, Garland 8-1, El Duque 11-1, Rest of Field 4-1. And finally....Fact or Fiction: The White Sox will win the American League Central in 2005. Fact: 94-68. That was fun. Now someone lose this thread so I don't have to see it in October.

I might be getting to 5 at the Metrodome and a couple at the Cell. Maybe more, who knows?

From the Mpls Startribune.com I can't believe they got it done. There's a great deal of loyalty in that clubhouse; everyone really likes Gardenhire and, to a lesser extent, Ryan. With any luck, Ozzie can continue building the same sort of camaraderie the Twinks have.

QUOTE(qwerty @ Feb 12, 2005 -> 07:30 PM) f***ing bulls***. Not his fault they have a team full of underachieving cry babies that need more money to pay their families. Right-o! Flip is a very good coach who normally gets his teams to overachieve. But because Spree and Cassell think that they are as important as KG to the Wolves and the Community, Flip has to take the fall. It's too bad, really. McHale won't pull them into the playoffs. On a slightly related note, how many times have we seen a guy say that a contract offer is an "insult", and then sign for much less than the original offer. Spree was "insulted" by a 3yr/$21M offer. Now he'll be damn lucky to sign with someone for the mid-level exemption. Douchebag.

This is from the Mpls. Startribune -- Sid Hartman's column. Bring it!

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 10, 2005 -> 01:31 AM) I got a crazy feeling that they will do what the Astros did this year for Carlos Beltran...that is, free up money everywhere and anywhere to get him locked up long term. Unfortunately, Houston came up about just short, and Boras went to the money again(SHOCKER). I think they will do whatever it takes to get him locked up. He is the type of guy you can build a franchise around. You trade Hunter, Jones, Radke, Nathan, Romero...anyone making any type of money...and get him locked up. That said...I hope they lose him...and at the same time, crazy as it sounds, I don't. I hate the way baseball works. The Twins come up with Johan, this absolute stud of a pitcher, and because they can't afford him, he goes elsewhere. Makes me sick. Unfortunately, this is the way of the world. It sucks.